UJALA Milestones: 36.87 Crore LED Bulbs Distributed, Saving INR19,153 Crore Annually
Introduction
The UJALA scheme, launched on January 5, 2015, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recently celebrated its 10th anniversary as a trailblazer in energy efficiency. Originally known as the Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme (DELP), UJALA aims to transform household lighting by offering affordable, energy-efficient LED bulbs, tube lights, and fans to millions of homes across India.
In the last decade, the initiative has successfully distributed over 36.87 crore LED bulbs, making energy-saving technologies widely accessible. UJALA addresses issues such as high electrification costs and carbon emissions, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable living.
Jointly managed by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) and DISCOMs under the Ministry of Power, UJALA has emerged as the world’s largest zero-subsidy domestic lighting program. This initiative not only reduces energy consumption but also promotes environmental awareness and economic efficiency.
As UJALA reaches this significant milestone, it symbolizes the power of collective action. Together, we can build a brighter, more sustainable future for our nation.
Illuminating Efficiency: The Need for UJALA
The UJALA scheme addresses the pressing need for energy efficiency in India’s households. Markedly, here traditional lighting systems consumed significant electricity and imposed high costs on consumers. A 7W LED bulb provides the same amount of light as a 14W Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) and a 60W Incandescent Lamp (ICL). Consequently, this saves nearly 90% energy compared to ICLs and 50% in the case of CFLs.
In 2014, the retail price of an LED bulb was approximately Rs 450–500, significantly higher than a CFL at Rs 100–150 and an ICL at Rs 10–15. Consequently, the share of LEDs in the lighting market was less than one per cent in 2013–14. This high initial cost served as a major barrier to adoption, highlighting the need for an intervention to make LEDs affordable and accessible.
Reduced Rates and More Efficiency
The UJALA scheme enables consumers to purchase LED appliances at significantly reduced rates: Rs 70 per LED bulb, Rs 220 per LED tube light, and Rs 1110 per energy-efficient fan. Competitive bidding determined these prices and included components such as the cost of the appliance, distribution, awareness campaigns, Annual Maintenance Cost (AMC), cost of capital, and administrative expenses.
In terms of energy consumption, all in all, an LED bulb uses only 1 unit of electricity when operated for 140 hours. Comparatively, a CFL and an ICL consume 2 units and 9 units respectively over the same period. This translates into substantial cost savings, as the operating cost of an LED bulb is just Rs 4 for 140 hours, compared to Rs 8 for CFL and Rs 36 for ICLs.
The annual cost of ownership further underscores the economic advantage of LEDs, standing at Rs 12, which is less than one-third of a CFL (Rs 40) and merely one-tenth of an ICL (Rs 108). These stark differences in energy efficiency, affordability, and economic viability demonstrate the need for the UJALA scheme in transforming India’s lighting market into one that is sustainable, cost-effective, and energy-efficient.
UJALA’s Decade of Impact
As of 6th January 2025, the UJALA scheme has distributed 36.87 crore LED bulbs, making it one of the most widely adopted initiatives in the country. Its implementation across all states has brought about transformative changes, reduced annual household electricity bills, and enabled consumers to save money while improving their quality of life. By ensuring transparency through e-procurement and fostering competition, the programme has significantly reduced transaction costs and time, leading to enhanced process efficiency. Transforming the market, so far, the UJALA scheme has germinated the sale of 407.92 crore LED bulbs in the Indian market.
Beyond economic benefits, the scheme has made notable contributions to 
Key outcomes of the UJALA scheme include:
These achievements underscore the scheme’s dual impact on economic development and environmental preservation, positioning it as a cornerstone of India’s energy efficiency journey.
Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP)
The government of India introduced the Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP) and UJALA scheme together. SLNP was launched on 5th January 2015 as part of the government’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development. Prime Minister Modi envisioned “Prakash Path,” an initiative to replace conventional streetlights with smart, energy-efficient LED streetlights across the country. Such initiatives contributed to significant energy conservation and cost reduction in public lighting.
The aim of SLNP is to reduce energy consumption and operational costs for public lighting. It does so by replacing outdated street lamps with LED lights in urban and rural areas. This initiative, which operates under the broader push for energy efficiency in India, brought about a market transformation for energy-efficient appliances.
Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) implemented this programme. This agency collaborated with Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), Municipal Bodies, Gram Panchayats (GPs), and both Central and State Governments. All in all, EESL has been at the forefront of executing SLNP across India.
A Unique Business Model
The programme introduced a unique business model, relieving municipalities of the burden of upfront investments. EESL handles the initial costs and recoups the investment through monthly or quarterly annuities paid by the municipalities throughout the project duration. Additionally, EESL ensures the maintenance of the LED streetlights. It provides over 95% uptime, significantly enhancing public safety. It also ensures reliable municipal services without burdening local budgets.
As of 6th January 2025, EESL has installed over 1.34 crore LED streetlights across Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Gram Panchayats. Overall, this has led to significant energy savings of over 9,001 million units (MUs) of electricity annually. This achievement has also contributed to a reduction in peak demand by more than 1,500 MW and a decrease in CO₂ emissions by 6.2 million tonnes per year. Thus, it highlights the programme’s positive impact on both energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
The Street Lighting National Programme has emerged as a model for efficient public lighting. It is a meaningful contribution to India’s energy efficiency efforts while helping municipalities save costs and reduce environmental impact.
Conclusion
As the UJALA scheme celebrates its 10th anniversary, it has become a cornerstone of India’s energy efficiency efforts. It has revolutionized the domestic lighting sector by providing affordable, energy-efficient LED bulbs, tube lights, and fans. By distributing more than 36 crore LED bulbs, UJALA has saved on electricity bills for millions of households. It has also contributed to a substantial reduction in carbon emissions. Alongside UJALA, the Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP) has furthered the country’s commitment to sustainable development. It replaced conventional streetlights with energy-efficient LEDs. Together, these initiatives have brought about transformative changes, reducing energy consumption, cutting operational costs, and driving environmental sustainability. UJALA and SLNP exemplify the power of government-led initiatives in fostering economic growth and environmental preservation. Can we say that these are lighting the path to a brighter, more energy-efficient future for India?
Reference
Press Information Bureau: UJALA: 10 Years of Energy-Efficient Lighting
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